Every Thursday, I've decided to post 10 interesting facts about films! So, check in at least every Thursday to see what the new trivia is.
TWILIGHT (2008)
1) Kristen Stewart's stunt double, Katie Powers, also plays a waitress at the diner.
2) When Bella and Edward are lying in the meadow, the sun coming through the trees makes a heart between them.
3) At the cafeteria salad bar, Bella drops an apple which Edward picks back up and then cradles in his hands, copying the cover image of the Twilight novel. This shot took 13 takes to get it right.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974)
4) The Blind Man's parting line "I was gonna make espresso" was not in the script, but was ad-libbed by Gene Hackman during shooting.
5) The idea of Frederick's dart hitting a cat was ad-libbed on set. When Gene Wilder threw his dart off camera, director Mel Brooks quickly screamed like a cat to create the illusion.
6) Rock band Aerosmith took a break from a long night of recording to see "Young Frankenstein" in 1974. Steven Tyler wrote the band's hit "Walk This Way" the morning after seeing the movie, inspired by Marty Feldman's first scene, the "walk this way... this way" scene.
TOY STORY TRILOGY
7) At 102 minutes (1 hour, 42 minutes) the third film is the longest Toy Story movie.
8 Buzz's first name was Lunar Larry, but it was changed because it didn't fit the grand space hotshot he became.
9) The crowd voices of the little green aliens are actually John Lasseter (the director) and crew after breathing in helium gas!
10) In its most productive week, Pixar completed just 3.5 minutes of animation.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Black Swan (2010)
DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky
STUDIO: Fox Searchlight Pictures
STARRING: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel
RATING: R
GENRE: Drama, Thriller
GRADE: A
I have been anticipating this film for a long time! Maybe not THIS film specifically, but a ballet film that isn't purely about the harshness of the eating disorders or strictness of the director or the romance between the two leads.
The director of this film was AMAZING. Every prop, every costume, every makeup device is used in such a beautiful symbolist way that subconsciously make the viewer dive deeper into the self-destructive and almost crazy mindset. You begin to question was is reality and what is just another hallucination.
Portman and Kunis also did very good jobs at both their roles, both portraying the White and Black Swan in their own unique characters' ways. The only issue with this film is that the two lead females both look very similar, so in certain hallucinations it's difficult to tell that it's not the same person. But, that's something Hollywood really couldn't control, but, maybe that's what they were trying to do all along.
Overall, the best film I've seen all year (2010, that is) and I'm not even really a fan of the genre. Anyone should see this movie before they die!
STUDIO: Fox Searchlight Pictures
STARRING: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel
RATING: R
GENRE: Drama, Thriller
GRADE: A
I have been anticipating this film for a long time! Maybe not THIS film specifically, but a ballet film that isn't purely about the harshness of the eating disorders or strictness of the director or the romance between the two leads.
The director of this film was AMAZING. Every prop, every costume, every makeup device is used in such a beautiful symbolist way that subconsciously make the viewer dive deeper into the self-destructive and almost crazy mindset. You begin to question was is reality and what is just another hallucination.
Portman and Kunis also did very good jobs at both their roles, both portraying the White and Black Swan in their own unique characters' ways. The only issue with this film is that the two lead females both look very similar, so in certain hallucinations it's difficult to tell that it's not the same person. But, that's something Hollywood really couldn't control, but, maybe that's what they were trying to do all along.
Overall, the best film I've seen all year (2010, that is) and I'm not even really a fan of the genre. Anyone should see this movie before they die!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Craigslist Killer (2011)
DIRECTOR: Stephen Kay
STUDIO: Lifetime Network
STARRING: Jake McDorman, Agnes Bruckner, Kevin Kilner
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama, Thriller
GRADE: C+
Although most made-for-TV movies suck, this one definitely rose above the standards. Though, it certainly couldn't stand up to in-theatre films today, it would be one of the decent ones that come out once in a blue moon.
The film's about a man who seems to live a perfect life: top of his class Medical Student, engaged to a beautiful, wealthy girl and very charming overall. However, he's really a sex-addict with a gambling problem who ends up robbing prostitutes, and eventually killing one - meanwhile, all is unbeknown to everyone in his everyday life.
The movie stars some big names, mostly Jake McDorman and Kevin Kilner, but all actors do well with whatever they can with the script. The dialogue isn't that strong, but it compels the motives clear enough. For a Lifetime film, it's one of the strongest, but it still lacks the pop that movies need to make it to the big screen.
STUDIO: Lifetime Network
STARRING: Jake McDorman, Agnes Bruckner, Kevin Kilner
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama, Thriller
GRADE: C+
Although most made-for-TV movies suck, this one definitely rose above the standards. Though, it certainly couldn't stand up to in-theatre films today, it would be one of the decent ones that come out once in a blue moon.
The film's about a man who seems to live a perfect life: top of his class Medical Student, engaged to a beautiful, wealthy girl and very charming overall. However, he's really a sex-addict with a gambling problem who ends up robbing prostitutes, and eventually killing one - meanwhile, all is unbeknown to everyone in his everyday life.
The movie stars some big names, mostly Jake McDorman and Kevin Kilner, but all actors do well with whatever they can with the script. The dialogue isn't that strong, but it compels the motives clear enough. For a Lifetime film, it's one of the strongest, but it still lacks the pop that movies need to make it to the big screen.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Blazing Saddles (1974)
DIRECTOR: Mel Brooks
STUDIO: Warner Bros.
STARRING: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens
RATING: R
GENRE: Comedy, Western
GRADE: B+
Mel Brooks has done it again! I never cease to laugh, or at least smile, whenever I watch his films. "The Producers"..."Young Frankenstein"..."Robin Hood: Men in Tights"...and now one of his most famous!
Well, obviously I adore the director, but another star that is one of my favorite actors is Gene Wilder. He plays his part beautifully, but it may be just because I'm used to seeing Gene on screen about 80% of the time when I watch a film starring him, that I thought he was hardly in this movie at all.
Almost every joke that was played worked well, and the only ones may just be the generation gap from the '70s to now. My only complaint, which is why it didn't recieve an A grade, is the ending. It felt so forced and random that it led me to be confused. The errors that could be made in just the ending are too many to ignore, so I have to say that if it wasn't for that, it may have been my favorite Mel Brooks film.
Overall, if you've ever enjoyed any film of the simliar genre, you will adore this movie. It's best to watch with a group of people, because then you'll appreciate every joke a bit more.
STUDIO: Warner Bros.
STARRING: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens
RATING: R
GENRE: Comedy, Western
GRADE: B+
Mel Brooks has done it again! I never cease to laugh, or at least smile, whenever I watch his films. "The Producers"..."Young Frankenstein"..."Robin Hood: Men in Tights"...and now one of his most famous!
Well, obviously I adore the director, but another star that is one of my favorite actors is Gene Wilder. He plays his part beautifully, but it may be just because I'm used to seeing Gene on screen about 80% of the time when I watch a film starring him, that I thought he was hardly in this movie at all.
Almost every joke that was played worked well, and the only ones may just be the generation gap from the '70s to now. My only complaint, which is why it didn't recieve an A grade, is the ending. It felt so forced and random that it led me to be confused. The errors that could be made in just the ending are too many to ignore, so I have to say that if it wasn't for that, it may have been my favorite Mel Brooks film.
Overall, if you've ever enjoyed any film of the simliar genre, you will adore this movie. It's best to watch with a group of people, because then you'll appreciate every joke a bit more.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Movie Facts Thursday!
Every Thursday, I've decided to post 10 interesting facts about films! So, check in at least every Thursday to see what the new trivia is.
The Princess and the Frog (2009) :
1) The star Ray calls "Evangeline" is in fact the planet Venus. Venus is known as the Roman goddess of love.
2) This is Disney's first film in which all of the voice actors do both the speaking and singing parts since Beauty and the Beast (1991).
3) Tiana is on-screen for roughly 40 minutes of the film, 17 of them spent as a human and 23 as a frog.
Across the Universe (2007):
4) All the main characters' names are references to famous Beatle songs. (Hey Jude, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Sexy Sadie, Get Back(Jojo), Dear Prudence, ETC)
5) This film was released in the United States on John Lennon's birthday (October 9th).
6) During "Happiness is a Warm Gun", the dancing priest does the same dance the hippy in "Come Together" does across the crosswalk when he's in the area with the prostitutes.
TITANIC (1997):
7) Rose only says "I love you" to Jack once while they are both shivering in the water. Jack never says it, although he mentions what he loves about her.
8 Most Oscar-nominated film (14) not to win in any acting categories.
9) After finding out that she had to be naked in front of Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet decided to break the ice, and when they first met, she flashed him.
10) When Jack prevents Rose from committing suicide, he shares a story about how he once fell into freezing cold water while ice fishing and how it feels like "being stabbed with a thousand knives all over your body." This was an actual quote from a Titanic survivor describing the temperature of the North Atlantic water.
The Princess and the Frog (2009) :
1) The star Ray calls "Evangeline" is in fact the planet Venus. Venus is known as the Roman goddess of love.
2) This is Disney's first film in which all of the voice actors do both the speaking and singing parts since Beauty and the Beast (1991).
3) Tiana is on-screen for roughly 40 minutes of the film, 17 of them spent as a human and 23 as a frog.
Across the Universe (2007):
4) All the main characters' names are references to famous Beatle songs. (Hey Jude, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Sexy Sadie, Get Back(Jojo), Dear Prudence, ETC)
5) This film was released in the United States on John Lennon's birthday (October 9th).
6) During "Happiness is a Warm Gun", the dancing priest does the same dance the hippy in "Come Together" does across the crosswalk when he's in the area with the prostitutes.
TITANIC (1997):
7) Rose only says "I love you" to Jack once while they are both shivering in the water. Jack never says it, although he mentions what he loves about her.
8 Most Oscar-nominated film (14) not to win in any acting categories.
9) After finding out that she had to be naked in front of Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet decided to break the ice, and when they first met, she flashed him.
10) When Jack prevents Rose from committing suicide, he shares a story about how he once fell into freezing cold water while ice fishing and how it feels like "being stabbed with a thousand knives all over your body." This was an actual quote from a Titanic survivor describing the temperature of the North Atlantic water.
Julie & Julia (2009)
DIRECTOR: Nora Ephron
STUDIO: Columbia Pictures
STARRING: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Biography, Drama
GRADE: B-
I'm definitely a fan of cooking (well, eating mostly) and this movie just sparked my interest in the stories of these two women, who're different, but both have a passion for cooking.
The story itself is a very strong one, but it tends to lag on with both in their own way. I think I might've liked to see more of the cooking itself, than the end product or the disasters. Acting was good, along with the writing, but what they did show of the story seemed a bit more boring than it could have been.
I have to give amazing credit to the set designer, costume designer and cinematographer, because just to watch this film is a treat. To see the beauty of Paris and the details of the food makes this film delicious just to see.
Overall, a decent film, and if you want to spend a night thinking about food and cooking, this one is very interesting. Plus, if you're a fan of Julia Child, then you'll learn much of her life and how she got interested in cooking. B-. No questions asked.
STUDIO: Columbia Pictures
STARRING: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Biography, Drama
GRADE: B-
I'm definitely a fan of cooking (well, eating mostly) and this movie just sparked my interest in the stories of these two women, who're different, but both have a passion for cooking.
The story itself is a very strong one, but it tends to lag on with both in their own way. I think I might've liked to see more of the cooking itself, than the end product or the disasters. Acting was good, along with the writing, but what they did show of the story seemed a bit more boring than it could have been.
I have to give amazing credit to the set designer, costume designer and cinematographer, because just to watch this film is a treat. To see the beauty of Paris and the details of the food makes this film delicious just to see.
Overall, a decent film, and if you want to spend a night thinking about food and cooking, this one is very interesting. Plus, if you're a fan of Julia Child, then you'll learn much of her life and how she got interested in cooking. B-. No questions asked.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
DIRECTOR: David Yates
STUDIO: Warner Bros. Pictures
STARRING: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
GRADE: B+
This is a biased review. I had to say that first because I LOVE the Harry Potter books, and read them all more than once. So, I'm sure it was easier for me to understand what was going on than the average movie-goer. So, onto the review.
This Harry Potter film was definitely the darkest of the previous ones, but it's very fitting. If you go back and look at the first one, it was child-like and happy, while as the characters grew up, the fans grew up with the story. The children who saw the first and second now come to the last few as adults or teenagers.
The director, David Yates, is a very talented guy. Many shots in this movie were filmed flawlessly, but as the film progressed, it got sloppier and sloppier. Especially one of the last action sequences, it was as if they had a little handheld camera and was running beside the actors.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the film and the small jokes that played into it. I will definitely see it again on the big screen, and, as any real Potter fans, see the next installment in 3-D!
STUDIO: Warner Bros. Pictures
STARRING: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
GRADE: B+
This is a biased review. I had to say that first because I LOVE the Harry Potter books, and read them all more than once. So, I'm sure it was easier for me to understand what was going on than the average movie-goer. So, onto the review.
This Harry Potter film was definitely the darkest of the previous ones, but it's very fitting. If you go back and look at the first one, it was child-like and happy, while as the characters grew up, the fans grew up with the story. The children who saw the first and second now come to the last few as adults or teenagers.
The director, David Yates, is a very talented guy. Many shots in this movie were filmed flawlessly, but as the film progressed, it got sloppier and sloppier. Especially one of the last action sequences, it was as if they had a little handheld camera and was running beside the actors.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the film and the small jokes that played into it. I will definitely see it again on the big screen, and, as any real Potter fans, see the next installment in 3-D!
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